Robes In The Iliad - 2000 Words

Symbolism of Robes One of the many things that Homer describes in ample detail is robes. If they are described in such detail they must be important. So why do they hold such importance in The Iliad and are the details of the robes used to symbolize anything? Some details given by Homer could help the reader figure out the importance of the robes and what the robes symbolize. For example, colors, in any writing from Homer, are important. Also, who has the robes, who is weaving the robes, and where they are being worn is all important. Because it has been established that the robes do mean something, another question that follows the symbolization is, how does Homer expect the audience to feel in relation to the robes? The answer that he†¦show more content†¦After defining robes and tunics, the next step is to look at specific examples. The instance of a robe being described is when Helen is visited by Iris (III.125-28). This passage states that Iris finds Helen â€Å"†¦in the chamber†¦weaving a great web, / a red folding robe and working into it the numerous struggles / of the Trojans, breaker of horses, and bronze-armored Achaians†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (III.125-28). In this chunk of text, the reader sees Helen in a room with her maidens weaving a robe, an image that can be equated to that of a spider. This passage goes on to say the Achaians and Trojans are fighting this whole war for her sake, which cements the image of a spider weaving her web and catching her prey. Helen, because of Aphrodite, has become a spider that has trapped thousands of people in her web, not just anybody either, people that she has grown to love and care about, and because they are trapped she knows that she, no matter how unintentional it is, is hurting them and causing their deaths. The next time Helen is mentioned wearing a robe is when Aphrodite visits her, the reason being to force Helen to go procreate with Paris. In the beginning of this scene, Helen is pictured as wearing an â€Å"†¦immortal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  robe (III.385). After Helen slings insults at Aphrodite she changes into another robe that is said to be a â€Å"†¦luminous spun robe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (III.419). The very first robe, because it is given theShow MoreRelatedHelen Court Case Against Helen1538 Words   |  7 Pagesoath that Helens father decision would be final for the marriage and that warrior would be protected by all other suitors for rest of his life. Menelaus, the king of Mycenaean was decided by her father for marriage with Helen. According to Homeric Iliad, Helen was a women wallowing in sorrow for all men who sacrificed their lives in the tragic war of Troy. Due to the game plan by all gods, she was the only lady that cannot escape from this huge tragedy occurred in ancien t time. She was helpless andRead MoreHomer: Blind or Captive Essay513 Words   |  3 Pagesknown about him, and what is known about him is questioned by the â€Å"Homeric Question,† he composed The Iliad and The Odyssey, and that is what his life is based off of. Homer means blind or captive. He was said to be born in 800 BCE, but their is no exact date but they know it is between the 12th and 8th century BCE. He is believed to be blind man, because of a character in his poems The Iliad. He is known for sure to have born and died in Greece or Asia Minor, although no one knows exactly whereRead MoreEssay about Heroic Code in the Iliad and the Odyssey979 Words   |  4 PagesHeroic Code in the Iliad and the Odyssey In Websters Dictionary, a hero is defined as a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of purpose, especially if this individual has risked or sacrificed his life. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, the code which administers the conduct of the Homeric heroes is a straightforward idea. The aim of every hero is to achieve honor. Throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey, different characters take on the role of a hero. Honor is essential to the HomericRead MoreHonor And Glory By Homer1574 Words   |  7 Pagestakes the lives of many men. Honor and Glory are what define the hero in the epic poem, The Iliad, written by Homer. Throughout the Iliad, honor and glory is the motivation behind the characters, there are different ways to obtain honor and glory, and the different views of honor throughout the epic poem. The idea of honor and glory are essential to understanding the motivation behind the characters in the Iliad. Glory was gained by the heroic actions and deeds. The best opportunity to gain honor wasRead MoreThe Iliad Herioc Code1444 Words   |  6 PagesKenneth Ballard CLA 202: Classical Epic: Gods and Heroes Paper #1 The heroic code in the Iliad is expressed by many characters throughout the book, whether it be through their actions, intentions, or teachings. The heroic code stems from the belief that honor is, above all, the most important virtue in life and all men must honor themselves, their families, and their fellow comrades through specific character traits and actions. This concept is the primary goal in a Homeric hero’s lifeRead MoreSuffering the Iliad Essay examples810 Words   |  4 PagesSuffering in The Iliad Suffering seems to be one of the under toning themes of the Iliad. Everyone undergoes the effects of war and battle. The women stand and watch helplessly as their loved ones fight, and live knowing they may never come back. The role of what a ‘man’ or ‘women’ is or should be also causes suffering because of the decisions they must take on. The warriors understand that whichever decision they make to continue in battle or desert, their honor and integrity is at stake andRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad 966 Words   |  4 PagesSome of the most memorable stories are recorded in Homer’s epic tale, The Iliad. With action packed battles, heroes and mighty gods, these tales that are so incredibly detailed that the reader can picture the battles like they were happening right in front of them. The Iliad’s legends are so infamous that even after hundreds of years they are still being told in the 21st century. Between the fighting and the glory however, there are scenes with the hero’s wives and families pleading with their lovedRead MoreHonor Homer And Heartache : The Point Of The Iliad1166 Words   |  5 PagesHonor Homer and Heartache The point of The Iliad is personal honor. Honor was prevalent throughout the poem. The honor of every person in Homeric culture was important. Homer demonstrated some lack of honor in some of the main characters. Therefore, Homer wants to infuse pride, emotions, and values into the main characters who are viewed as heroes that the society looks up to. With these three solutions it would help out the honor culture. As illustrated in book VI, Homer didn’t want readers to justRead More Essay on Hector as the Ideal Homeric Man of Homers Iliad1358 Words   |  6 PagesHector as the Ideal Homeric Man of Homers Iliad        Ã‚  Ã‚   Homers Iliad enthralls readers with its’ valiant heroes who fight for the glory of Greece. The Iliad, however, is not just a story of war; it is also a story of individuals. Through the characters words and actions, Homer paints portraits of petulant Achilles and vain Agamemnon, doomed Paris and Helen, loyal Patroclus, tragic Priam, versatile Odysseus, and the whole cast of Gods. Ironically, the most complete character in the epic isRead MoreTragic Heroes of The Iliad and Oedipus Rex Analysis749 Words   |  3 PagesIn Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. Two Grecian literary legends, Achilles from Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, fit the description of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Achilles, from Homer’s The Iliad, is a tragic hero. Achilles’s quick rage coincides with a key characteristic of a tragic hero. Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae takes Briseis, Achilles’s prize, or woman. This act is an insult